The Dell Rapids City Council has opted against prohibiting campers, trailers and boats from being stored on public roadways.

The City Council was reviewing its existing ordinance governing the parking of trailers, campers, mobile homes and boats on City streets after safety concerns were raised by a resident at its June 17 meeting.

But Councilor Gary Haak, who sits on the policy and procedures committee, said at the council’s meeting last week now is not the time to add more regulations to the City books.

“By putting an ordinance on there, then we’re taking more time from our police department to manage it or our city employees,” he said. “Let’s first try to be neighborly and get our campers moved off (the streets) or find another place for them.”
Haak said if problems persist, he’s open to revisiting the issue in the future.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said there are plans to put a disclaimer on an upcoming round of water bills indicating that residents are encouraged to move trailers, boats and campers off the roadway.

“I’ll type something up and run it by the committee,” he said.

Dell Rapids does not prohibit any vehicles or trailers less than 22 feet in length from being parked in the street, and vehicles longer than 22 feet “shall be parked at places only as have been marked and designated for such use by the City Council and be parked parallel with the curb,” according to ordinance 711, the only code on the books pertaining to parking large vehicles in the street.

Councilor Mike Gereats said there are plenty of private storage facilities available in Dell Rapids.

“Nobody can use that as an excuse, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “If you can afford to have a camper, you should be able to afford a small fee to park it … in the city limits. It shouldn’t be a big problem.”